The Ministry of Labour monitored the Model Farm Project to promote employment among community members in Ang Thong, following new theories of agriculture as a source of employment and income for themselves and their families to overcome the COVID-19 crisis.
On July 1, 2020, Deputy Permanent Secretary of Labour Mrs. Theanrat Nawamawat observed the progress of “The COVID-19 Resistant Farm Project Model” at the Farm Project Model initiated by Her Majesty Queen Sirikit in Si Bua Thong, Sawaeng Ha, Ang Thong. She said that the Ministry of Labour has a sense of divine grace for His Majesty the King and Her Majesty the Queen in providing an area on the model farm following the initiative of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit. The Ministry of Labour and related agencies, in cooperation with the Royal Thai Volunteer Center have implemented a project to resolve vocational issues under “The COVID-19 Resistant Farm Project Model” project. The objective is to help unemployed people from the effects of COVID-19 to have a job and income to support themselves and their families. An allocated budget of 19.8 million Baht has been granted for the operation in 17 provinces across 30 model farms within 60 days. The project duration is from May 4 to July 28, 2020, operating 8 hours a day and closed on Sundays. Participants will receive compensation of 300 Baht per person per day. There will be a total of 1,101 participants in the project.
Mrs. Theanrat said that for Ang Thong province, there were 50 participants, including 14 men and 36 women, with 46 participants remaining as some people returned to work as the Covid-19 situation improved. Most of the participants were general workers followed by farmers, trades people and students, affected by the Covid-19 situation. There were 4 people who wanted to train in mechanic professions and 2 to work at home. The program started on May 5 to July 13, 2020 for a duration of 60 days with holidays on every Sunday. The compensation is 300 Baht per day per person, which is paid by officials of the Ang Thong Provincial Labour Office. The pay out is made to all participants in the project in cash, ever 10 days. In addition, agencies under the Ministry of Labour will help fulfill the mission such as the Ang Thong Provincial Social Security Office provided explainations and invited participants to apply for insurance under Section 40.
Sumalee Changbanjong, 63, said that he had been in the traditional massage for over 10 years. However, due to the Covid-19 situation, he has no job. He learned the news from the village headman, then applied participate in the project. Upon joining, he was happy to use the knowledge from the farm to grow vegetables, use fertilizer, cover the ground and make bio-compost on their own land of 1 rai and 71 square wah, following the new agricultural theory approach. This has resulted in sufficient vegetables for the household. The leftovers from eating can be sold to make a living and support the family as well.
Srirat Khunthep or Ple said that he originally sold garlands for business and was impacted by the Covid-19 situation. Therefore, he joined the model farm employment project and used knowledge from the farm to further agriculture following the new agricultural theory in their own land at home. He particularly made use of implementing local wisdom such as making curry, insect repellent, biological fermentation, vegetable garden planting such as sweet vegetables, eggplant, yard long beans, okra and chilies for example.
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Division of Publuc Relations
1 July 2020
